North Kitsap School Board District 4 candidates were asked about the $5 million purchase of 21 acres near Finn Hill Road for a potential new school at their forum July 12.
“I don’t understand why we purchased this property,” Terri Schumacher said. “Without full understanding, I find it difficult to support.”
Bill Longworth added he understands the idea of the purchase but believes there are other concerns within the district. “I understand why they want to make the purchase now, but the ability to redevelop the schools they already have needs to take higher priority,” Longworth said.
Beverly Godfrey was in favor of the purchase because she “understands Hilder Pearson needs to be replaced. It’s not big enough or modern enough to handle the electronics needed now so they will have to build something.”
Adam Salazar and Teresa Case were not certain about the purchase. However, they agreed it is a great long-term strategy compared to spending money to maintain the other schools and to accommodate population growth in Poulsbo.
The candidates were also asked how they can help boost the relationship between the school district and the Suquamish and S’Klallam tribes.
“Whenever you have a huge presence like the tribes, they have to have seats at the table,” Salazar said. “It’s important we have collaboration with them and seek their voice because they understand the issues in their community. We also need to identify those kids and need more mechanisms to intervene.”
Godfrey’s mindset was to help incorporate the children by learning about their traditions, offering them opportunities to strive and help integrate them into a potentially new environment.
Longworth added the curriculum should be altered because “there is a lack of good engagement with the local tribes regarding teaching local history from their point of view and not the European point of view.”
Schumacher and Case have both worked with the tribes in some aspect and believe the district needs to reach its arms for support from the tribes.
“We got community advocates for the tribal community,” Case said. “We just need to reach out so we can gain a better understanding and collaborate.”
